Sheriff Peryam honors Employees of the Year
Ceremony sponsored by TIB Bank

In the photo, left to right: Vicki Walker, TIB Bank Vice President / Corporate Secretary; Reserve of the Year Mary Jo Migala; Support Member of the Year Thomas O’Dea; Explorer of the Year Michael Boyce; Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Terry Smith; Corrections Officer of the Year Michelle Heaviland; Sheriff Robert P. Peryam; Mimi Young, TIB Bank Vice President and Islamorada Branch Manager.

In a special ceremony held Friday in Marathon, Sheriff Robert Peryam honored Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Employees of the Year for 2009.

"The people chosen as Employees of the Year are truly the best of the best – they have proven themselves to be outstanding employees, as well as outstanding contributors to the community they serve," said Sheriff Bob Peryam.

The yearly award winners received a plaque from the Sheriff in recognition of their exemplary work, and a badge to wear on their uniforms with the designation "Officer (or Employee) of the Year". In addition, they each receive a check for $500.00 donated by TIB Bank, and $1,000.00 from the Sheriff’s Office. The Cadet of the year receives $100.00 from TIB Bank, with a matching amount from the Sheriff’s Office.

The Cormier Memorial Award, given to the Sheriff’s Office Sworn Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, is named for Deputy David Cormier, a Sheriff’s Reserve Deputy killed in the line of duty in a traffic accident in November of 1989. Members of the Cormier family attended the ceremony in memory of their loved one who gave his life in service to the community.

Recipients of the Award are:

Deputy Sheriff of the Year: Homicide Detective Terry Smith

Corrections Officer of the Year: Detention Deputy Michelle Heaviland

Support Employee of the Year: Aviation Supervisor Tom O’Dea

Reserve of the Year: Mary Jo Migala

Explorer of the Year: Michael Boyce

Deputy receives “Medal of Merit” from the National Sheriff’s Association

For his “valuable contributions to his community and to the field of criminal justice and law enforcement” Sheriff’s Deputy Evan Calhoun has received the “Medal of Merit” from the National Sheriff’s Association.

Deputy Calhoun was the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sheriff of the Year for 2008 and, due to his being awarded that honor, and for his contributions to law enforcement in the Florida Keys, the NSA awarded him the “Medal of Merit”. He received these honors because he has shown himself to be an outstanding deputy, whose activity is extremely high and who works hard to keep the community safe. Deputy Calhoun’s primary patrol area is Stock Island and his patrol efforts there have visibly improved the quality of life for those law-abiding people who live there.

“I am extremely proud of Deputy Calhoun,” said Sheriff Bob Peryam. “This award is a prestigious one – I don’t think we’ve ever had another officer receive it, and Deputy Calhoun is definitely deserving of it.”

Sergeant receives life-saving award

Sgt. Donnie Elomina, who heads up the Crimes Against Person’s Unit at the Sheriff’s Office, recently received a life saving award from Sheriff Bob Peryam. Sgt. Elomina was first on the scene of a deadly crash on the Seven Mile Bridge recently. One of the vehicles had caught fire and there were people trapped inside. Sgt. Elomina, with the assistance of bystanders, pulled the vehicle’s occupants from the burning vehicle at considerable risk to his own life.

“Sgt. Elomina truly went above and beyond the call of duty on this one,” said Sheriff Bob Peryam. “He put the welfare of others before the welfare of himself and truly earned this Sheriff’s Medal.”

March 1, 2010

Sheriff’s Office receives 7th perfect audit

For the seventh year in a row, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has received a perfect audit – with no negative findings – from the national CPA and Consulting firm, Cherry, Bekaert and Holland.

“We are very proud to have received our seventh perfect audit,” said Sheriff Bob Peryam. “We work very hard to be accountable with the taxpayer dollars we are entrusted with. I think this shows exemplary performance on the part of our Finance Division, and everyone who has had a part in working on the financial side of our house,” he said.

The Upper Keys Business and Professional Women’s association purchased and donated anatomically correct dolls to the Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Women and Children’s Unit for use in sexual and physical abuse cases involving children.

“Using these dolls when interviewing children makes it easier for us to communicate with them,” said CAWCU Detective Linda Mixon. “They really help with the investigative process. These cases are never easy and every little bit helps,” she said.

Drug Drop program: Environmentally friendly way to dispose of medications

Lower Keys –The Sheriff’s Office is offering an environmentally friendly program to allow people to dispose safely of no-longer-needed prescription drugs and other medications. This program is now up and running in the Lower Keys and in the Upper Keys. It will soon be offered county wide.

People living from Stock Island to the Seven Mile Bridge can stop by the Freeman Substation on Cudjoe Key and drop off old, outdated medications during business hours, or they can call and a deputy will stop by and pick the medications up. The drug disposal program is also operating in the upper Keys, from Plantation Key to Key Largo. The medications will then be burned by Detective Sgt. Bobby Randolph, who operates the Sheriff's Burn Unit and who holds a special license to burn narcotics.

People who call to have medications picked up can do so with no questions asked. "Our goal here is to dispose of this stuff properly, not to catch people with illegal pills," said Lieutenant Gene Thompson, Commander of the Freeman Substation.

Proper disposal of prescription and over the counter medications is important. Flushing them down the toilet or sink can introduce dangerous and environmentally damaging substances into the water system; throwing them away in the trash can also introduce them into the environment, and runs the risk of them winding up in the wrong hands.

If you are part of an organization, like a Crime Watch group or a Homeowners Association, and would like us to collect old medications at one of your meetings, in the Lower Keys, call 305-745-3184; in the upper Keys, call 305-853-3211.